ads

Monday, November 24, 2014

Meet the Ladies Who are Changing the World - Weldresha Davenport

A few years ago, I ran a series of blog posts featuring women who were changing the face of business. I thoroughly enjoyed introducing my fellow female entrepreneurs and the feedback was amazing! So much so in fact that I have decided to do it again - only with a new tact. These women aren't changing how we do business - they are trying to change the world!

Teen suicide has been a concern for years, especially among young women. My first "guest" has firsthand knowledge of this issue and has dedicated herself to stopping it. Meet Weldresha Davenport!1.
Weldresha, tell us about yourself.

Hello everyone, my name is
Weldresha “April” Davenport and I am the founder of Perfecting Touch
Ministries. I also have my own business as an event planner. I work a full time
job. I love to sing, write poetry/stories, and read. I feel that God is first
priority in everything and I love to spend time with my family.I enjoy interacting with people and feel that
the heart of compassion that God has given me is truly the motivation for
everything I do.

2.What is Lady D’s Academy?

Lady D’s Academy is an
organization that focuses on suicide prevention and empowerment of young girls
and ladies between the ages of 8-21. The organization is set up to aid and
assist girls and to give them a glimpse of hope when there seems to be no hope.
Whether the hopelessness stems from a broken family, abuse, depression,
anxiety, etc… We are here to be a beacon of light to young women who
are in a dark place and need to see that they have a reason to live and to
press forward.The program starts with
the young ladies coming to a retreat where they will go through their initial
evaluation which maps them out a plan to aid them on their journey to
completeness in their physical,
spiritual, and mental health.

3.Why did you feel there was a need for this?

For young people between the age of 15-24, suicide is the
second leading cause of death and 1 in 65,000 children ages 10 to 14 dies by
suicide each year (www.save.org). So many
young people are now battling depression in silence.We should save these young people's lives by any means possible.

4.How did Perfecting Touch Ministries get started?

Perfecting Touch Ministries was founded in
2012 by myself.I ministered the gospel
for the first time at the age of 13. I accepted the call into ministry years
later and I then went through ministers training and was officially ordained in
2013.

5.What inspired you to undertake this project?

As a young girl I battled with
the spirit of suicide in silence. Everyone thought because I smiled all the time
and had such a bubbly personality that I had it all together but little did
they know, I was crying out for help on the inside but felt that I would be
judged by people if I asked for help. I suffered with this into my adulthood. I
became chronically depressed, had an eating disorder and became almost helpless
to the point of no return. At the age of 27 with everything I had going on, I
had a heart attack. This is when I decided to change my life.

6.I have been impacted by suicide myself, being
personally acquainted with girls and women who have tried to end their pain by
ending their lives.Unfortunately, some
of them succeeded.Why do you think so
many girls turn to suicide as the answer to their problems?

I always felt that I had to be the strength and life line
for other people.I feel that so many
girls commit suicide because they are crying out for help and they feel that
someone should be able to see the warning signs that they are giving but
sometimes their signs are not recognized. A lot of young girls fear being
judged.A lot of girls that are raised in church or in
Christiandom feel that people are going to think that their faith in God is
weak when that is not the case. That was the main reason that I did not seek
help early on.

7. You know I have to ask this - what exactly is "happiness"? Are there people who are genuinely happy no matter what? What about unhappy people? I personally can think of a couple of people who NEVER seem happy. Can they be? How can we teach young women that suicide is never the answer and that they can be "happy" - even when they feel at their most desperate?

Happiness is something that we find within ourselves and
happiness is not a feeling, it is a state of being. Sometimes I feel that joy
and happiness are mixed up. Joy is a feeling.Happiness does not mean that there are no heartaches or troubles.
Happiness just gives us the faith to believe that no matter how bad a situation
may get, there is always hope. I feel that unhappy people can become happy
people if they are given the resources and tools needed to put them on a path to
fulfillment. We can allow these young girls the ability to realize that there
is always a reason to live and push forward. Some of us may very well be their
lifeline.

8. Some would say suicide is a very depressing topic and would prefer not to deal with it. Is it ever depressing for you? What has been they most difficult part?

Suicide can be a tough subject to discuss with people. Some
are uncomfortable or feel that they have to walk on egg shells when talking
about it. That is the reason for this organization, to give exposure to this
subject and to give people a safe place that will enable them to be able to open
up and get the help they so desperately need.

9. This is a blog for budding boomerpreneurs and while yours may not be what most people think of when you say "business", you have been very successful at promoting yourself and your brand. Do you have any resources that you would recommend?

I joined a group on Facebook called
“Equipping Christian Women for Business”. The resources and support that I have
seen from these ladies has been absolutely incredible.Local news stations and newspapers have been a
great tool in gaining exposure as well. I have done a lot of online research
that has helped in this manner as well.

10.If we are acquainted with someone who is talking
about suicide what should we do?Do you
have any tips to share on how to help them?

The number to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
or 1-800-727-4747 which is a suicide prevention center.If someone tells you that they are think of
committing suicide, DON'T take it as a JOKE, make sure that you
listen to them and then refer them to someone who can help and assist them even if you
feel that you can’t.

11.What other advice would like to share?

Look for the warning signs of depression or suicidal
tendencies.A suicidal person urgently
needs to see a doctor or mental health professional.

·Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself.

·Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as
searching online or buying a gun.

·Talking about feeling hopeless or having no
reason to live.

·Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable
pain.

·Talking about being a burden to others.

·Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.

·Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.

·Sleeping too little or too much.

·Withdrawn or feeling isolated.

·Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.

·Displaying extreme mood swings.

·Preoccupation with death.

·Suddenly happier, calmer.

·Loss of interest in things one cares about.

·Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.

·Making arrangements; setting one's affairs in
order.

·Giving things away, such as prized possessions.

12. How can we contact you to learn more about Perfecting
Touch Ministries and Lady D’s Academy?

Thank You for sharing and for your ministry Weldresha. I was once one of these young girls caught up in this horrible cycle of depression, and suicidal tendencies. Praise God for his deliverance. I am so encouraged by your story as I know that I have been called into the ministry as well, and am being prepared by God to walk in my ordained by God purpose. May God continue to bless you and the work of your hands my sister. Please take a look at my website www.morselsoftruth.com I also have a blog you may access there also. I hope that one day I may be able to come out to visit your organization. I am also available for speaking engagements as well. I am feeling lead that as my company makes money, to sow into your ministry. God Bless

Debra Jason, Thank you for the support. I am praying continuously that I will be able to touch someones life. Sylvia Myrie, Thank you as well. I appreciate your transparency and sharing your story and website. If you want to sow a seed you can do so on our website at www.ladydacademy.weebly.com. Lita Ward, Thank you for your continued support as well.